U.S. patent number 4,112,716 [Application Number 05/687,515] was granted by the patent office on 1978-09-12 for padlock device.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Research Machine & Development, Inc.. Invention is credited to Joachim Wippich.
United States Patent |
4,112,716 |
Wippich |
September 12, 1978 |
Padlock device
Abstract
A padlock device including a unitary, elongated, cylindrical
metal body having spring loaded shackle elements extending into one
end thereof and a key-locking cylinder assembly extending into the
other end. Rounded recesses are formed along the sides of the
cylindrical body and the shackle pin holes are arranged so that the
pins respectively extend through the recesses. The locking cylinder
includes a pawl mechanism which engages notches in the ends of the
shackle pins for locking the pins in the closed position.
Inventors: |
Wippich; Joachim (Campbell,
CA) |
Assignee: |
Research Machine & Development,
Inc. (Santa Clara, CA)
|
Family
ID: |
24760716 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/687,515 |
Filed: |
May 18, 1976 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
70/38C; 70/39;
70/49; 70/52 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E05B
67/003 (20130101); Y10T 70/483 (20150401); Y10T
70/454 (20150401); Y10T 70/489 (20150401); Y10T
70/463 (20150401) |
Current International
Class: |
E05B
67/00 (20060101); E05B 067/02 (); E05B
067/22 () |
Field of
Search: |
;70/32,33,34,38R,38A,38B,38C,39,49,52 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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|
|
|
|
|
|
359,098 |
|
Sep 1922 |
|
DE |
|
810,961 |
|
Aug 1951 |
|
DE |
|
413,238 |
|
Apr 1946 |
|
IT |
|
Primary Examiner: Wolfe; Robert L.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Schatzel & Hamrick
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A padlock device comprising:
an elongated unitary body having
a first bore extending longitudinally into one end thereof,
a second bore extending longitudinally into the other end thereof
and in communication with a first side portion of said first
bore,
a first recess formed in a side of said body and located such that
the axis of said second bore passes therethrough, said first recess
having an external perimeter formed such that said axis of said
second bore lies internal of any line connecting opposite sides of
said perimeter,
a third bore extending longitudinally into said other end of said
body and in communication with a second side portion of said first
bore, and
a second recess formed in another side of said body and located
such that the axis of said third bore passes through a central
portion thereof;
a lock cylinder adapted to fit within said first bore and
having
a first laterally movable pawl capable of being extended at least
part way into said second bore,
a second laterally movable pawl capable of being extended at least
part way into said third bore, and
a first eccentric cam for engaging said first pawl and a second
eccentric cam for engaging said second pawl, said cams being joined
and rotatable together and being configured such that rotation
thereof through a first angle causes said first pawl to be moved
into said second bore and rotation through a second angle causes
said second pawl to be moved into said third bore; and
shackle means including first and second elongated shackle pins
each having a notch provided in one side near distal ends thereof,
said pins being respectively disposed within said second and third
bores and movable between a first position in which said distal
ends respectively extend completely through said first and second
recesses so that said notches can be engaged by said first and
second pawls, and a second position wherein said distal ends extend
less than half way through said first and second recesses, the
distal end portions of said pins being partially enclosed by and
thus protectively shielded by the portions of said body surrounding
said recesses.
2. A padlock device as recited in claim 1 wherein said shackle
means further includes spring loading means for biasing said
shackle pins in the direction of said second positions.
3. A padlock device as recited in claim 2 wherein said shackle
means further includes limit stop means for preventing said biasing
means from causing said shackle pins to move beyond said second
positions.
4. A padlock device as recited in claim 1 wherein said shackle
means further includes means coupling said shackle pins together so
that they move as a unit.
5. A padlock device comprising:
an elongated unitary body having a first bore extending
longitudinally into one end thereof, a second bore extending
longitudinally into the other end thereof and in communication with
a first side portion of said first bore, a first recess formed in a
side of said body and located such that said second bore passes
through a central portion thereof, a third bore extending
longitudinally into said other end of said body and in
communication with a second side portion of said first bore, and a
second recess formed in another side of said body and located such
that said third bore passes through a central portion thereof;
a lock cylinder adapted to fit within said first bore and having a
first laterally movable pawl capable of being extended at least
part way into said second bore and a second laterally movable pawl
capable of being extended at least part way into said second bore;
and
shackle means including first and second elongated shackle pins
each having a notch provided in one side near first ends thereof,
said pins being respectively disposed within said second bore and
said third bore and movable between first positions in which their
first ends extend completely through said recesses and said notches
are engaged by said first and second pawls, and second positions
wherein their first ends extend less than half way through said
recesses, said shackle pins being movable independent of each
other, and said shackle means further including spring loading
means for independently biasing said pins toward their respective
second positions.
6. A padlock device as recited in claim 5 wherein said lock
cylinder includes a rotatable cam for engaging and causing said
first pawl to extend into said second bore as said cam is
rotated.
7. A padlock device as recited in claim 1 wherein said first and
second pawls lie in a common plane, said first cam lies on one side
of said plane and said second cam lies on the other side of said
plane.
8. A padlock device as recited in claim 5 wherein said lock
cylinder includes rotatable cam means for engaging and causing said
first and second pawls to extend into said second and third bores
respectively as said cam is rotated.
9. A padlock device as recited in claim 8 wherein said cam means
includes a first eccentric cam for engaging said first pawl and a
second eccentric cam for engaging said second pawl, said cams being
joined and rotatable together and being configured such that
rotation thereof through a first angle causes said first pawl to be
moved and rotation through a second angle causes said second pawl
to be moved.
10. A padlock device as recited in claim 9 wherein said first and
second pawls lie in a common plane, said first cam lies on one side
of said plane and said second cam lies on the other side of said
plane.
11. A padlock device as recited in claim 5 wherein said lock
cylinder includes rotatable cam means for engaging and causing said
first and second pawls to extend into said second and third bores
respectively as said cam is rotated.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to locking apparatus and
more particularly to an improved padlock device which is
constructed in such a manner as to make it unusually difficult to
physically violate.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Heretofore, most padlocks of both the keyed and combination variety
have utilized a U-shaped shackle as the means of joining chains,
cables, hasp-type locks and the like. Although such locks are quite
suitable for many light security applications, the fact that the
locking shackle is exposed makes it vulnerable to intentional
destruction since it can usually be quickly sawed through or
snipped in two using heavy duty cutters.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
It is therefore a principal objective of the present invention to
provide a novel padlock device having recessed shackle elements
which are not readily accessible to sawing and cutting tools.
Briefly, a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a
unitary, elongated, cylindrical metal body having spring loaded
shackle elements extending into one end thereof and a key-locking
cylinder assembly extending into the other end. Rounded recesses
are formed along the sides of the cylindrical body and the shackle
pin holes are arranged so that the pins respectively extend through
the recesses. The locking cylinder includes a pawl mechanism which
engages notches in the ends of the shackle pins for locking the
pins in the closed position.
An important advantage of the present invention is that the padlock
body is made of a unitary block of metal which is internally
machined to provide receptacles for the operative components of the
device and the shackle pins are substantially concealed by the body
and the chain links or other means to which the shackle pins are
attached.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention
will no doubt become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art
after having read the following detailed description of the
preferred embodiment which is illustrated in the several figures of
the drawing.
IN THE DRAWING
FIG. 1 is a partially broken perspective view illustrating a
padlock device in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a partially broken and sectioned view taken along the
line 2--2 and exploded to the various components of the padlock
illustrated in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a cross section taken along the line 3--3 of the padlock
device illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2;
FIG. 4 is a cross section taken along the line 4--4 of the padlock
device illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2;
FIG. 5 is a partially broken perspective view showing an
alternative embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a cross section taken along the lines 6--6 of FIGS. 5 and
7;
FIG. 7 is a transverse section taken along the line 7--7 of FIG. 5;
and
FIGS. 8 and 9 are respectively plan and sectioned profile views
diagrammatically illustrating the structure and operation of the
latching mechanism of embodiments illustrated in FIG. 5.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawing, there is shown a
first embodiment of a padlock device in accordance with the present
invention which includes an elongated cylindrical body 10 having
two semicylindrical recesses 12 and 14 cut into opposite sides
thereof, a large bore 16 extending into one end thereof for
receiving a key lock cylinder 18, and an elongated slot 20 formed
in the other end thereof with three bores 46, 60 and 62 (see FIG.
2) extending longitudinally into the body along the slot.
Additional bores 42 and 44 communicate bores 46 and 60 with bore
40.
A shackle pin assembly 22 is also included which is comprised of an
elongated bar 24, a pair of shackle pins 26 and 28 and a spring
loaded stop pin 30. Shackle pins 26 and 28 are suitably secured to
the ends of bar 24 and have facing notches provided in the sides of
the distal ends thereof. Stop pin 30 is threaded at one end to mate
with a threaded aperture 29 in bar 24 and is provided with a head
at the other end which serves as a means for keeping that end of
the pin centered in bore 44. Alternatively, pin 30 could be press
fit into bar 24.
As will be further explained below, when the shackle assembly is in
the locked position, the shackle pins 26 and 28 are extended
through the recesses 12 and 14, and into the openings 32 and 34 so
that the notches 27 can be engaged by the locking mechanism 50 to
hold the shackle assembly 22 in position with the bar 24 flush
within the slot 20.
In order to use the device to lock, for example, two chain ends
together, one would merely unlock by turning the key shown in
dashed lines to allow the shackle assembly to be spring-biased into
an open position with the ends of pins 26 and 28 nearly clearing
the recesses 12 and 14. The chain links would then be inserted into
the recesses 12 and 14 (see also FIG. 3), and the shackle assembly
would be depressed so that the pins 26 and 28 pass through the
chain links and back into apertures 32 and 34. The key would then
be turned to lock the shackle assembly in place. Since the pins 26
and 28 are disposed within the recesses 12 and 14, they are not
easily accessible to sawing and are clearly not accessible to
ordinary bolt cutting tools and the like and are thus substantially
more secure than in prior art devices. For example, if one were to
attempt to cut the pin 26 with a saw or file, as illustrated by the
dashed line 27 in FIG. 3, he would also have to cut into the body
10 as illustrated by the dashed line 29 in order to sever the pin.
Moreover, since in this embodiment pins 26 and 28 are rigidly
connected together by the bar 24 and both pins are individually
locked, it would be necessary to either make cuts both above and
below the chain link or to make a single cut through both of the
pins.
In FIG. 2 of the drawing, the internal structure of body 10 and the
nature of the other components of the device are illustrated in
detail. Body portion 10 is made from a solid cylindrical member
having five axially-extending concentric bores 38, 40, 42, 44, and
46 provided therein. The bores 38 and 40 are respectively for
receiving the flange 19 and body of the key lock cylinder 18. The
bore 42 provides a locking chamber for accommodating the latching
assembly 50 to be described below, and the bores 44 and 46 are for
receiving the stop pin 30 and its associated compression spring 31.
The unthreaded end of pin 30 is provided with a round head 37 which
is of a diameter suitable for mating with the diameter of bore 44.
Head 37 is provided with a suitable slot or other female drive
coupling 39.
The pair of bores 60 and 62 extend longitudinally from the bottom
of the slot 20 through the body end portion 11, the recesses 12 and
14 and into the body portion 13. Note also that the bores 60 and 62
extend through peripheral portions of the bore 42. A tapped and
countersunk opening 64 is provided in the rightmost end of body 10
for receiving a screw 65 the head of which mates with a notch 21 in
cylinder flange 19 to lock the cylinder 18 within the bore 40.
To assemble the mechanism, the shackle pins 26 and 28, which are
preassembled to the bar 24 are extended into the bores 60 and 62,
and the stop pin 30 is extended through the bores 44 and 46. A
suitable driving tool is then mated with the female socket 39 in
head 37 and used to turn the pin 30 until the end 35 is fully
threaded into the mating threaded aperture 29 in bar 24. Spring 31
and nylon plug 33 are inserted into bore 44 behind head 37, and
cylinder 18 is then inserted into bore 40 to complete the assembly.
Note that plug 33 bears against the flat top of cam 56 when the
device is assembled. Alternatively, threads could be provided at
the end of bore 44 and plug 33 could be threaded to mate therewith
so as to free cam 56 from any forces applied thereto by spring
31.
Referring now to FIG. 4 of the drawing, the latching mechanism 50
is illustrated and includes a pair of pawls 52 and 54 which are
pivotally connected to the end of the lock cylinder 18 at the
points 51 and 53 respectively. The pawls 52 and 54 (see also FIG.
2) are of a first thickness over most of the body but are of a
reduced thickness about their periphery to form locking lips 59. A
double-ended cam 56 is attached by means of screws or other
fasteners to the end of the rotating keyway of lock cylinder 18 and
pivots about the axis illustrated by the dot 57. When in the
position indicated by the solid lines, the tension spring 58 holds
the pawls 52 and 54 in contact with the side surfaces of cam 56 so
that the outer diameter of the pawls is the same as that of the
body of lock cylinder 18 thereby enabling it to be inserted or
removed from the bore 40 of housing 10. However, upon turning the
keyway in the counterclockwise direction (as illustrated in FIG. 4)
cam 56 will cause pawls 52 and 54 to be rotated outwardly about
their respective pivot pins into the positions indicated by the
dashed lines 59' so that the lips 59 (see also FIG. 2) engage the
notches 27 of the shackle pins 26 and 28 thereby holding the
shackle assembly in the locked position. Note that cam 56 also
includes a limit pin 61 which, as indicated by the dashed lines,
prevents the cam from rotating more than 90.degree..
Referring now to FIGS. 5 through 9, an alternative embodiment of
the present invention is illustrated which permits either one or
the other of the shackle pins, or both simultaneously, to be locked
or unlocked. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the shackle pin 102 is
attached to a bar 104 having a stop pin 106 attached to its other
end. Similarly, the shackle pin 108 is attached to one end of a bar
110 having its other end attached to a stop pin 112. Slotted
recesses 114 and 116 are provided in the end of cylinder 100 for
receiving bars 104 and 110 respectively.
The primary difference between this embodiment and the previous
embodiment, insofar as the body 100 is concerned, is that the bores
118 and 120 (see FIG. 7) for receiving stop pins 106 and 112 are
drilled off the center of body 100 and an additional bore 122 may
be provided internally to accommodate the camming structure to be
described below. In FIG. 6 a cross section taken along the line
6--6 of FIG. 7 is shown with the shackle pins 102 and 108 in the
locked position. This cross section also illustrates the bore 118
which receives stop pin 106 and a spring 124. Note also in this
embodiment that threaded plugs 126 are threaded into the ends of
bores 118 and 120 behind spring 124.
In order to enable the alternative locking and unlocking of the
respective shackle pins, the dual cam mechanism 130 illustrated in
FIGS. 8 and 9 is used to selectively move the pawls 132 and 134.
The cam mechanism 130 is comprised of an inner lobe 136 and an
outer lobe 138, both of which are affixed to a shaft 140 that is in
turn affixed to the rotatable keyway of lock cylinder 142. In this
embodiment pawl 132 is provided with an upstanding pad 133 for
bearing against the outer lobe 138 and pawl 134 has a downwardly
extending pad 135 for bearing against the inner lobe 136. In order
to provide clearance for lobe 136 a spacer ring 137 is positioned
between the end of cylinder 142 and the bottom surfaces of pawls
132 and 134.
The inner and outer cam lobes 136 and 138 are shaped such that when
in the position illustrated in FIG. 8 they allow the spring 144 to
pull the lobes into the retracted position shown by the solid lines
132 and 134. When the shaft 140 is turned 90.degree. in the
clockwise direction, pawl 132 is rotated into the extended position
shown by the dashed lines 132' so as to lockingly engage the notch
101 in shackle pin 102. During this increment of rotation, cam 136
causes no change in position of pawl 134. However, during the next
90.degree. of rotation of shaft 140 in the clockwise direction,
pawl 132 will be held in the extended position and pawl 134 will be
moved to the extended position illustrated by the dashed lines 134'
to engage notch 107 to pin 108.
The third 90.degree. of rotation will cause pawl 132 to return to
its retracted position with pawl 134 remaining in its extended
position. The last increment of rotation will cause pawl 132 to
remain in its retracted position and pawl 134 to move into its
retracted position. Rotation of shaft 140 in the counterclockwise
direction causes the pawls to move in a reverse sequence.
It will thus be appreciated that by turning the key in one
direction or the other a selected one of the shackle pins can be
released without affecting the other, and a simple continued
turning will release the other. Such embodiment would obviously be
suited for applications wherein it is desirable that one of the
shackles be left affixed to one portion of the chain to support the
locking mechanism while freeing the other shackle to release the
end of the chain. Similarly, where a single lock is used to tie the
end of one chain to the end of another chain as in side-by-side
gateways or the like, the lock could be fastened to a center
support and used to release one or the other or both of the chains
simultaneously.
Although the present invention has been described above with
relation to two particular preferred embodiments, it is
contemplated that many alterations and modifications will become
apparent to those skilled in the art after having read the above
description. It is therefore intended that the appended claims be
interpreted as covering all such alterations and modifications as
fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *